s though the theme was the most
agreeable one that could have been selected for his entertainment; and
for that reason Quilp pursued it.

'I always will say,' he resumed, 'that when a rich relation having two
young people--sisters or brothers, or brother and sister--dependent on
him, attaches himself exclusively to one, and casts off the other, he
does wrong.'

The young man made a movement of impatience, but Quilp went on as
calmly as if he were discussing some abstract question in which nobody
present had the slightest personal interest.

'It's very true,' said Quilp, 'that your grandfather urged repeated
forgiveness, ingratitude, riot, and extravagance, and all that; but as
I told him "these are common faults." "But he's a scoundrel," said he.
"Granting that," said I (for the sake of argument of course), "a great
many young noblemen and gentlemen are scoundrels too!" But he wouldn't
be convinced.'

'I wonder at that, Mr Quilp,' said the young man sarcastically.

'Well, so did I at the time,' returned Quilp, 'but he was always
obstinate. He was in a manner a friend of mine, but he was always
obstinate and wrong-headed. Little Nell is a nice girl, a charming
girl, but you're her brother, Frederick. You're her brother after all;
as you told him the last time you met, he can't alter that.'

'He would if he could, confound him for that and all other kindnesses,'
said the young man impatiently. 'But nothing can come of this subject
now, and let us have done with it in the Devil's name.'

'Agreed,' returned Quilp, 'agreed on my part readily. Why have I
alluded to it? Just to show you, Frederick, that I have always stood
your friend. You little knew who was your friend, and who your foe;
now did you? You thought I was against you, and so there has been a
coolness between us; but it was all on your side, entirely on your
side. Let's shake hands again, Fred.'

With his head sunk down between his shoulders, and a hideous grin
over-spreading his face, the dwarf stood up and stretched his short arm
across the table. After a moment's hesitation, the young man stretched
out his to meet it; Quilp clutched his fingers in a grip that for the
moment stopped the current of the blood within them, and pressing his
other hand upon his lip and frowning towards the unsuspicious Richard,
released them and sat down.

This action was not lost upon Trent, who, knowing that Richard
Swiveller was a mere tool in his hands and